REVIEW: 'Mamma Mia' an explosion of color and talent at North Shore Music Theatre

By Sally Applegate Correspondent

Wednesday

Aug 8, 2018 at 5:27 PMAug 8, 2018 at 5:27 PM

“Mamma Mia!” built around a string of ABBA hit songs, is one of those shows with an unusually large number of leads, and each of them gets a chance to shine with splashy solo numbers. North Shore Music Theatre’s powerhouse production is an explosion of colorful costumes, spectacular dancing, and brilliant singing by all hands.

The wonderfully original and spectacularly colorful costumes are by Dana Pinkston. You may be tempted to run for your car during the curtain call to beat the traffic, but wait, there’s more. A whole fresh set of outrageous costumes adorns the entire cast in a great reprise of “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia” and sends the audience to the moon.

The sketchy plot features Donna, a sexy mother of the bride. Donna’s several past lovers leave her unable to tell her daughter Sophie who her real father is, and Sophie wants the real dad to walk her down the aisle at her wedding.

So -- Sophie invites all three of her possible fathers to the wedding, without telling anyone. That’s all the plot you need, because this show is all about the catchy music and lyrics by ABBA and this wonderful cast aces it.

Front and center is a spectacular performance by Erica Mansfield as Donna, the loving mother of the bride. Her powerful singing voice has a huge range, and she keeps the audience enthralled throughout the evening, with heartfelt dramatic moments, fun dancing, and comedy. The audience applauds wildly when Donna finds her own happy ending.

Tari Kelly is marvelous as Donna’s hyper-sexy sister Tanya, creating an over-the top character, and displaying a strong and versatile singing voice and sensual dancing.

Tiffani Barbour sparkles as Donna’s other sister Rosie, in a delightful comedy performance, with great body language and an expressive face. Rosie has a hilarious scene in which she aggressively chases and seduces one of the three possible dads, with wonderful blocking by director/choreographer Kevin P. Hill. Barbour is also a strong singer, and she joins Kelly in a clear, sharp rendition of “Dancing Queen.” The two are then joined by Mansfield, and when the three sisters finish this rousing rendition, the audience goes wild with applause.

Al Bundonis is cute and touching as Bill, one of Sophie’s three possible dads. He is truly funny in the seduction scene with Barbour’s lusty character Rosie.

David Elder is handsome and convincing as Sam, another possible dad, who never stopped loving Donna. Elder has a glorious singing voice, and uses it to full effect in “Knowing Me, Knowing You” as he mourns for their former love. Elder and Mansfield are riveting as that song becomes a dramatic duet with the two characters at the opposite ends of the stage, facing out to the audience, singing with full power.

Christopher Carl is warm and charming as Harry, the third possible dad. His singing is sweet and mellow on his initial solo, “Thank you for the music,” which becomes a touching duet with his possible daughter Sophie, and another sweet duet with Donna on “Our Last Summer.” He has some really sharp dance moves as part of his character.

Pretty Malia Monk has a sweet and versatile singing voice and ranges from comedy to drama with ease as Sophie, the bride-to-be.

Nick Walker Jones is handsome and believable as Sky, the groom-to-be. His voice is mellow on a sweet song to Sophie, followed by some sexy blocking for the two of them.

Vinnie Smith is very sexy and pleasingly humorous as Eddie, a youngster beguiled by the uber-sexy Tanya. Like the rest of the male ensemble, he is impressively acrobatic.

The acrobatic male ensemble has many fascinating dance numbers featuring tremendously original choreography by director/choreographer Kevin P. Hill. A high point is an eccentric dance in which the men are all in diving masks and big foot flippers.

The female ensemble floats like a dream through various wonderful and acrobatic dance solos.

The evening is capped by the surprise extra curtain call, featuring everyone -- including the three possible dads, in outrageous dance costumes.

You are likely to notice that the main keyboard player and show’s Music Director Bob Bray enriches many of the solo numbers by singing fill-in harmonies. Bray played and conducted “Mamma Mia!” throughout its entire 13-year Broadway run.

You will also notice that the spectacularly quick scene changes are a show in themselves.

This energy-packed show continues at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly through Sunday, Sept. 2, with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, and 8 p.m. performances on Fridays and Saturdays. Matinees are at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Ticket prices are $59 to $84. Kids 18 and under save 50 percent at all performances.

Extra free events include Meet the Theatre, a post-show audience discussion with the artists on Aug. 14 after the 7:30 p.m. performance and on Aug. 18 after the 2 p.m. matinee. Out at the North Shore, an evening for the gay and lesbian community with a post-show reception, is Aug. 16 after the 7:30 p.m. performance.

For tickets and information call 978-232-7200, visit www.nsmt.org, or visit the box office in person at 62 Dunham Road, Beverly.